Trip to the Karpas peninsula

Immediately after entering the nature reserve, passengers will meet groups of wild donkeys who inhabit the area. These docile animals lurk in groups on cars and block the road. They usually clear the path only after the crew hands them carrots. It is therefore advantageous to buy them in advance or to get them from helpful boys who offer carrots at the entrance.

Donkeys are experienced and intrusive, they do not hesitate to put their big heads in the car and calmly drool the whole window, if passengers do not pull it fast enough. It is necessary to drive slowly and oncoming cars can sometimes be avoided only at the cost of scratching the left side of the car.

Definitely worth a longer stop is the monastery of Apostolos Andronos, which welcomes pilgrims twice a year and is perhaps one of only two functional Christian tabernacles in all of Northern Cyprus. The main church dates from 1740 and is surrounded by a relatively large area. It seems that after a certain period of decay, investment in the area has begun again and is now undergoing extensive reconstruction. However, it is still a very secluded area, where more traffic is manifested only on the occasion of pilgrimages. The pilgrimage is evidenced by a large parking lot for buses and a number of stalls with souvenirs. After a tour of the monastery complex, it is definitely refreshing to refresh yourself with freshly squeezed orange and pomegranate juice or Turkish coffee. Sitting directly above the rocky shore overlooking the sea and the monastery is a pleasant stop before the final section of the road to the very top of the island.

At the very top it is about 5 km, but challenging roads. It is quite unpleasant on foot in the heat and dust, and it is also difficult by car, because the asphalt disappears completely from the road and there are good holes on the dirt road.

Those who manage to do so will arrive at the very end of the peninsula at Cape Apostolos Andreas (Turkish Zafer Burnu). This is where Cyprus ends and sinks into the sea. Then there is only a cluster of rocky islands of Kleides. Syria is less than 100 km across the water.

At the very edge of the peninsula is a stone slab marking the end of the beautiful 255 km long trek Beşparmak (Pentadaktylos), which runs along the entire north coast and usually takes 8 days. 10th century, necropolis and old Roman port. Recently, trekking has been gradually developing in the area, allowing you to enjoy untouched nature, beautiful sea views and the ruins of ancient buildings.

Above all this rises a view of the rock, on which the huge flags of Northern Cyprus and Turkey fly proudly. Looking at the flag of Northern Cyprus, which is practically the reverse version of the Turkish flag, everyone can recall the complex history of the northern part of Cyprus.

It is advisable to hide a few carrots on the way back, because donkeys control the way really consistently. After leaving the reservation, the lookout at the heavily shabby bungalows is definitely worth a stop. There is one of the very few accommodation options and a restaurant with breathtaking views of the mountains, the sea and the beach.